asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what he estimates would be the expense of establishing an administrative capital for the Bechuanaland Protectorate inside that territory.

It is estimated that the initial capital outlay would be of the order of £600.000. There would also be increased annual recurrent expenditure.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will remove the headquarters of the Government of Bechuanaland Protectorate from Mafeking, which is outside the Protectorate, to a town within the Protectorate.

As stated in reply to the hon. and learned Member for Brigg (Mr. E. L. Mallalieu) on 3rd April, the cost of removing the headquarters of the Bechuanaland Protectorate Government to a place inside the Protectorate would be an initial outlay of the order of £600,000, plus increased annual expenditure. My noble Friend does not consider that in present circumstances it would he justifiable to incur this expense.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what steps are being taken towards the Africanisation of the administration of the Bechuanaland Protectorate.

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to the Question asked by the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) on 27th March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many Africans are in the junior and senior service, respectively, of the Bechuanaland Protectorate; and if he will give these figures separately for men and women.

In the junior service of the Bechuanaland Protectorate there are 1,314 Africans, of whom 1,192 are men and 122 women. In the Senior Service there are four Africans, three men and one woman.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what proposals Her Majesty's Government have for establishing a Legislative Council for the Bechuanaland Protectorate.

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd) on 20th March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will consider the sending of an economist to Bechuanaland Protectorate to make a survey of the territory and recommend a development plan.

As I informed the hon. and learned Member for Brigg (Mr. E. L. Mallalieu) on 27th March a development programme for the Bechuanaland Protectorate for the period 1955–60 is already in existence. Development plans for the period after 1960 will be prepared in sufficient time to ensure continued economic and social progress in the Protectorate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what is the number of pupils at Moeng College, Bechuanaland Protectorate; how many vacancies there are; what are the numbers taking the school leaving certificate examination this year; and what provision is being made for VIth form work prior to university entrance.

I have asked the High Commissioner for the required information. When it is received I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations to what extent the Government's permission to Mr. Tshekedi Khama and Mr. Seretse Khama to return as ordinary citizens to the Bamangwato Reserve has resulted in those two gentlemen undertaking public service, in co-operation with the native authority and the Government, for the welfare and peaceful advancement of their people.

Mr. Seretse Khama and Mr. Tshekedi Khama have given valuable assistance to the Bechuanaland Protectorate Government and to the Bamangwato African Authority, in preparing the Bamangwato people for a system of Advisory Councils, designed to assist and advise the African Authority in the discharge of his duties. The further development of the system in the Bamangwato Reserve and the welfare of the Bamangwato will depend to a great extent on the future services and support to be rendered by these two gentlemen. Her Majesty's Government are sure that they can count on their public spirit and co-operation.Mr. Seretse Khama and Mr. Tshekedi Khama have also been concerned in the past sixteen months in considering the mineral potential of the Reserve and in negotiations with certain mining companies for the exploration and development of its mineral resources. It is hoped that their recent visit to the United Kingdom in company with Mr. Rasebolai Kgamane, the African Authority, will result in useful work being undertaken. If the proposed prospecting leads to successful mining operations, these should bring increased benefits to the Bamangwato.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth relations if he will make a statement upon the present state of the cattle-raising industry in Bechuanaland, its prospects, both immediate and long-term, its export potential, and any projected development of it; and what part he envisages the Colonial Development Corporation's abattoir at Lobatsi will take in the future development of the industry.

Cattle raising is and is likely to remain the major industry of the Bechuanaland Protectorate. The cattle population rose from 958,000 in 1946 to 1,238,000 in 1956, and the current development plan is largely devoted to the improvement of water supplies and veterinary services. Export markets exist in the Union, the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and the Belgian Congo. The numbers of cattle exported were 72,000 in 1955, 70,000 in 1956 and 62,000 in 1957. The fall in 1957 was due to the closure of the Union market owing to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. This market is still closed but limited exports from disease-free areas have continued to northern markets. The Colonial Development Corporation are playing an important part in developing the livestock industry and plans for the future are now under discussion with the Bechuanaland Protectorate Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will separate the posts of High Commissioner to the Union of South Africa and High Commissioner to the Protectorates of Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland.

No. My noble Friend is satisfied that the advantages of the present arrangements outweigh any possible disadvantages.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make representations to the Government of the Union of South Africa to permit the African drivers of coaches beginning journeys in the High Commission Territories to continue to their destinations in the Union without replacement by white drivers.

No such condition is normally imposed on coaches on journeys from the High Commission Territories to destinations in the Union. The High Commissioner has been asked for a report on one alleged instance which the hon. Member has brought to my attention.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make representations to the Government of the Union of South Africa to permit African citizens of the High Commission Territories to extend their visits to neighbouring towns in the Union after 3 p.m.

Africans born in the High Commission Territories, who visit urban areas in the Union, are required by the law of the Union of South Africa to obtain permission from the Union authorities. The latter have, however, made administrative arrangements for Basuto to visit border towns in the Orange Free State for limited periods for trading, entraining or seeking professional assistance, without obtaining such permission. For Basuto men visiting Ficksburg without such permission, this period is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It therefore already represents a relaxation of Union law in favour of the Basuto.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what consideration he has given, in determining the volume of deliveries of arms by this country to India and Pakistan, to the prevention of an arms race developing between them.

Her Majesty's Government do not determine the volume of deliveries of arms by this country to India and Pakistan. These countries are free to determine their own requirements and obtain them where they wish.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what application has been received by the United Kingdom Government from Ceylon in connection with economic development plans in that island.

If my hon. Friend is referring to the conversations between Mr. Bandaranaike and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister during his visit to Ceylon about reconstruction and resettlement after the floods, we are continuing to keep in touch with the situation in case the Government of Ceylon find any need of technical assistance of a kind which we might be able to provide.

asked the Minister of Education what is the total income from State pension and superannuation of qualified teachers of the same status with over 40 years' service, who retired in 1939, 1944, 1948, and 1958, respectively.

No simple comparison is possible. I have written to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Education what information he has as to the number of boys who, on leaving school, are having to wait a year or longer before vacancies become available for them in universities or technical colleges.

I have no evidence that boys leaving school have to wait for places to become available in technical colleges. I understand that many boys cannot obtain immediate admission to the universities and that, when an inquiry was made, over 30 per cent. of a sample of men who had not been admitted in 1955–56 said that they were having to wait a year for a place.

asked the Minister of Education how many persons are employed in the separate categories of teachers and officials by local education authorities; and how these figures compare with those of 1938.

Local education authorities employed 194,000 full-time teachers in schools and colleges of all kinds in March, 1938 and 281,000 in February, 1958. I regret that similar information for officials is not available.

asked the Minister of Education under his regulations what constitutes ordinary residence for the purposes of a reward or grant from a local education authority to a student attending or about to attend a university.

The expression "ordinarily resident" is normally taken to refer to the place where a student lives, but the circumstances of these cases vary so widely that it is not practicable to give any comprehensive definition. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind, perhaps he would write to me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what evidence he has that butter reaching this country is being offered at a price which reflects a direct or indirect subsidy from the country of origin; and what steps he intends to take to maintain a system of fair trading in the British market.

I am at present considering a great deal of evidence on this point, and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the public concern caused by his change of policy in appointing a Comptroller General of the Patent Office, whether he will institute an inquiry into the working of that office between 1926 and the present time and publish the results.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the closest approximate total of the amount nationally spent in the last three consecutive years for which figures are available in the furniture trade, curtains, carpets, and general decorative fabrics, in Great Britain.

Consumers' expenditure in the United Kingdom on furniture and furnishings in the years 1955, 1956, and 1957, was £487 million, £497 million and £534 million, respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the annual production figures, given separately, for nylon, rayon and terylene yarns, for the years 1955, 1956, and 1957.

It would be contrary to the Board of Trade's policy to disclose figures of the production of nylon, terylene and other man-made fibre continuous filament yarns which reveal information about the business of individual firms. Figures are not available of the production of nylon, terylene and other man-made fibre spun yarns.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in 1951 a person buying his house by means of a £1,500 mortgage loan from a local authority was repaying over a 20-year period £8 10s. per month, and that this repayment has now increased to £11 per month; and whether, in his forthcoming Budget, he will take the necessary action to assist house purchasers to enjoy the same opportunities of house purchase which they were enjoying in 1951.

I am aware that the payments on new loans of this kind are higher than in 1951. As to the second part of the Question, the hon. Member will understand that I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now in a position to inform the House of the arrangements made with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation for payment by the Federal German Government of the support costs of the British forces in Germany.

This matter is still under consideration by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and I have as yet nothing to add to the reply given on 20th March by my hon. and learned Friend the Financial Secretary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has received regarding the effects of the present rate of entertainments tax on cinemas in Bournemouth.

I have received one letter from a cinema proprietor giving figures about the business of his cinemas, which include two in Bournemouth.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what sum of money would be required for each of the nine years following 1948, taking account of the fall in the value of the £ sterling, to equal £205,500,000 in the calendar year of 1948.

The following is the answer:

	£m.
1949	210·6
1950	217·6
1951	235·5
1952	249·1
1953	254·0
1954	259·3
1955	268·6
1956	281·1
1957	288·1

These estimates are based on movements in the Consumer Price Index.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the memorandum sent to him by the Toilet Preparations Federation with regard to the 90 per cent. Purchase Tax which is still maintained on toilet preparations in this country; and whether he will give an assurance that he will give sympathetic consideration to this case.

My right hon. Friend has considered this, but my hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate his Budget statement.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will arrange for photostat copies if the Irish Vaccination Act, 1878, now out of print, to be obtainable at Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

There is no Irish Vaccination Act, 1878. Her Majesty's Stationery Office will supply photographic copies of any Act of Parliament which is out of print.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many search warrants were granted in 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956. and 1957, in respect of the London mail bag robbery of May, 1952.

It would be contrary to the public interest to disclose such information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what rôle is played by the National Joint Council in the process of deciding the wages of the fire brigade employees; what form of appeal exists under his Regulations where there is a unanimous decision to raise the wages but he refuses his consent to the rise agreed to by the Council; and what time limits he has laid down within which such appeals must be considered.

The National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Fire Brigades considers the conditions of employment of members of brigades. If a recommendation made by it is approved by me and by the Secretary of Stae for Scotland, effect may be given to it by Regulations made under Section 17 of the Fire Services Act, 1947. If my right hon. Friend and I do not approve a recommendation, we are required by the Act to refer it back for further consideration and for a report; and must take the report into consideration before proceeding to make Regulations. The Act does not provide for any form of appeal against our decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will permit Mrs. Janina Wasilewska, who is at present staying with her son at 33, Little Sammons, Chilthorne Domer, Yeovil, on a visit from Poland, to remain in this country for a further period beyond 16th April.

Mrs. Wasilewska's visit to her son has already lasted some time, but I am prepared to let her stay until 10th June, which is the date until which her return ticket to Poland is said to be valid.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been brought by local authorities since the passing of the Rent Act, 1957, in connection with excessive charges for furniture and fittings to prospective tenants.

I regret that the Criminal Statistics collected by my Department do not distinguish this category of case from others.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what evidence he based his decision that there is no practical need to amend the law relating to abortion as recommended by the Inter-Departmental Committee which reported in 1939.

On the decision in the case of R. v. Bourne.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times there have been recounts in Parliamentary elections since 1st January, 1945; what has been the largest, smallest, and average errors disclosed; how often a recount has shown the same result as the previous count; what would be the approximate initial cost of introducing automatic vote counting; and what consideration he has given to this possibility.

I regret that the information asked for in the first three parts of my hon. and gallant Friend's Question is not available. I have not had occasion to consider the feasibility or cost of counting votes by machinery.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many experiments on animals were witnessed by inspectors of his Department in 1956.

H.M. Inspectors under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, in the course of their visits to registered places see large numbers of experiments. No record is kept of the number so witnessed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state the number of persons indicted for murder and convicted of murder, respectively, for each year since 1947.

Figures showing the number of persons indicted for murder in any one year are not readily available. The number of persons committed for trial on a charge of murder, and the number convicted of murder, in the years 1947 to 1957, are shown in the following table. The figures for 1957 are provisional and subject to correction. The figures shown in column (2) relate to proceedings completed during the year in question and are not necessarily related to the number of persons shown as committed for trial in the same year.

—	(1)	(2)
1947	80	35
1948	115	40
1949	96	33
1950	90	38
1951	85	22
1952	103	41
1953	85	26
1954	82	25
1955	86	30
1956	100	32
1957	120*	40*
* Provisional figures

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost in 1957 and 1937, respectively, of Her Majesty's prison service and reformatory schools.

In the financial year which ended on 31st March, 1937, the total net expenditure of the Prison Commissioners was £1,449,358. In the year ending on 31st March, 1957, it was £9,729,296. The cost to public funds of approved schools in those years was £618,709 and £3,271,672, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the light of the information recently acquired regarding the number of injuries caused by air guns, he will now initiate legislation to restrict the sale of air guns and air pistols to registered gunsmiths.

I have received no evidence which leads me to think that such legislation is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give an estimate of the number of eye injuries to juveniles during a conveniently recent 12-months period, resulting from the use of air guns or air pistols; and whether the number of such injuries shows an increase.

I regret that I can add nothing to the reply given to the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health on 6th March.

asked the Prime Minister on what dates he last visited officially the Parliamentary constituencies of Lewisham, North, Carmarthen, Ipswich, Rochdale, Kelvingrove and Torrington; on what dates Ministers of Her Majesty's Government have officially visited these constituencies; and for what purposes.

I do not know what the hon. Gentleman means by official visits to constituencies.

asked the Prime Minister what is the latest medical advice given to Her Majesty's Government on the effects of nuclear explosions on the incidence of leukaemia and bone cancer.

This matter will be dealt with in the Report of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, which is due to be published by July.

asked the Prime Minister how many nuclear tests explosions with radioactive fall-out have been made in the world so far according to the information possessed by Her Majesty's Government; and how many by each Power.

I have no information to give beyond what is published from time to time.

asked the Prime Minister whether, following the official invitation by President Eisenhower, Her Majestys' Government will be represented at the forthcoming nuclear tests to be held by the United States Government in the Pacific in April; and whether he will make a statement.

Her Majesty's Government have accepted the United States Government's invitation for British observers to witness one of their forthcoming tests.

asked the Prime Minister what general directions he has given to the Atomic Energy Authority regarding the employment of medical staff during periods of public holiday.

None.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the concern in the Atomic Energy Authority about the drift of scientists to the United States of America; to what extent the Government have applied their mind to this problem; and whether he will give a general direction to the Authority to review the conditions, salary scales and opportunities for advancement in the Authority.

The Atomic Energy Authority has informed me that it has given careful study to this matter. While any loss of scientists is unwelcome, the number of staff who have left to take employment in the United States of America is extremely small.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Anglo-American Declassification Committee is still empowered to delay announcements of the progress of Zero Energy Thermonuclear Assembly, Mark I, and the developments of Zero Energy Thermonuclear Assembly, Mark II; to what extent the Government have considered reviewing the restrictions in this field; and whether he is satisfied they are not causing undue embarrassment to the scientists and engineers employed on these projects.

There are no restrictions on the announcement of the results of current experimental work in the field of controlled thermonuclear reactions; the answer to the last part of the Question is, therefore, in the affirmative. As regards the future, declassification arrangements will continue to be reviewed by the Declassification Committee.

asked the Prime Minister what progress is being made in the redesigning of Zero Energy Thermonuclear Assembly; how long it will take to complete present developments of structural alteration before further experiments can take place; and whether he is satisfied that progress is not being hampered by lack of sufficient finance.

I am informed by the Atomic Energy Authority that the Zero Energy Thermonuclear Assembly is being closed down for modification immediately after Easter, and is expected to restart in June. More substantial modifications are expected to be made at the beginning of next year. Progress is not being hampered by lack of money.

asked the Prime Minister what steps are being taken to assure the Atomic Energy Authority that the added number of scientists, technicians and engineers required for the development of Zero Energy Thermonuclear Assembly, Mark II, will be available.

I am informed by the Atomic Energy Authority that it is taking steps, both by recruiting and by redeployment of staff, to ensure that the development of Zero Energy Thermonuclear Assembly, Mark II, will proceed as planned; and that it is satisfied with the progress made.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will consider allowing sums awarded by way of damages under the Fatal Accidents Acts and remitted to the county court to earn a higher rate of interest than now prescribed.

No. The rate of interest allowed on these funds was increased on the 1st January this year and could not be further increased without loss to the Exchequer. I would, however, remind the hon. Member that my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor recently appointed a committee to consider the law and practice relating to these, among other, funds in court.

asked the Attorney-General if he will take proceedings against the originators of chain letters using the address "National Savings Sponsors, Lloyds Bank Ltd., London, E.5," in view of the fact that this illegal private money-making venture has no connection with the National Savings Movement.

No. My right hon. and learned Friend is aware that National Savings Sponsors are in no way connected with the National Savings Movement, but he has no evidence that would justify the institution of legal proceedings.

asked the Attorney-General when it is proposed to make and publish rules relating to the procedure in the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council upon appeals referred to it by His Majesty The Yang di-Pertuan Agong of the Federation of Malaya.

The Federation of Malaya (Appeals to Privy Council) Order in Council, 1958, applying and modifying the Judicial Committee Rules, 1957, was made on the 14th March and published on the 21st March.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will give the figures of the latest count

From		To Hamilton Place	To Piccadilly	To Constitution Hill	To Grosvenor Place	To Halkin Street	To Grosvenor Crescent	To Knightsbridge	To Apsley Gate	Total
Hamilton Place		—	80	150	510	240	20	310	0	1,310
Piccadilly	…	0	—	80	400	310	50	590	60	1,490
Constitution Hill.		40	70	—	40	180	40	260	540	1,170
Grosvenor Place*.		290	180	20	—	—	20	160	410	1,080
Grosvenor Crescent.		120	140	20	10	0	—	20	190	500
Knightsbridge		340	670	130	100	10	0	—	70	1,320
Apsley Gate		0	80	290	270	180	20	0	—	840
TOTAL	…	790	1,220	690	1,330	920	150	1,340	1,270	7,710
* Including Halkin Street.

From			To East Carriage Road	To Apsley Gate	To The Carriage Road	Total
East Carriage Road		…	—	730	1,040	1,770
Apsley Gate	…	…	1,130	—	140	1,270
The Carriage Road		…	650	110	—	760
TOTAL	…	…	1,780	840	1,180	3,800

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will give the number and total tonnage of ships now laid up in British waters; and if he will indicate the nationality of the flags under which they sail.

On 22nd March, 1958, a total of 163 ships of 899,000 gross tons were laid up in United Kingdom waters. Of there, 107 of 541,000 gross tons were under the British flag, eight of 49,400 gross tons under the Greek flag, one of 7,000 gross tons under the Italian flag,

The following tables show average traffic flows in 1954 (excluding pedal and motor cyclists) between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., which is the peak period of the day. They are based on the Metropolitan Police census of July, 1954, supplemented by observations by the Road Research Laboratory in the autumn and winter of that year. The figures -represent vehicles per hour. The increase in these flows since 1954 is estimated to be not less than 12½ per cent.and 47 of 301,600 gross tons under the Liberian, Panamanian of Costa Rican flags,

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what would be the cost of a railway link between London and London Airport; how long it would take to construct; and what is the estimated time a passenger would take from the terminal in central London out to the door of the aeroplane in which he would travel, by using such a railway link.

A very tentative estimate of the capital cost of a railway link between Victoria and London Airport, including connections to buildings within the airport, is between £16½ million and £18 million. I understand that construction would probably take five years. Parliamentary powers would first be required. The estimated journey time from Victoria to the Airport railway station is 22 minutes. From there to the aircraft door would probably take between 15 and 35 minutes, depending on the siting of the railway station and passenger buildings and on the arrangements for customs and baggage.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if a person, having paid 15s. for a motor driving licence for three years, is prevented from driving for one or two years out of the period, is able under his regulations to apply for a rebate.

No, but I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bradford, East (Mr. McLeavy) on 18th February, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what estimate he has made of the average value of the time of the normal members of the public who experience delays when travelling due to traffic being held up on account of road improvements or alterations undertaken by and under the auspices of his department.

None.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what proportion of the fatal road accidents in the last five years involved drivers who had continuously held a licence since before driving tests were instituted, and who had therefore never taken a test.

I regret that the information for which my hon. Friend asks is not available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action, not involving further Government publication, he is taking to give fuller publicity to the decontrol provisions of the Rent Act, 1957, as it affects low-rated properties.

The letting to a new tenant of any house, irrespective of its rateable value, is normally free of control. This is made clear in the answer to Question 61 of the booklet The Rent Act and You. But I am obliged to the hon. Member for enabling me once again to emphasise the need for care by tenants when entering upon new tenancies.Before signing any agreement, they should make sure that it provides for appropriate security of tenure, and that they appreciate the nature of any repairing or similar obligations they are asked to undertake. If in doubt, they should seek advice from a solicitor or a citizens' advice bureau.This matter has recently been dealt with in the "Can I Help You?" series of the B.B.C. and in letters sent to a number of local papers by citizens' advice bureaux. I took the opportunity to draw attention to it myself in answering a question published last Sunday in a newspaper with a wide circulation.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many inspectors are employed by his Department to keep a watch on the aqueous radioactive discharges from atomic power stations; and how often visits are made to observe these discharges from the Windscale works.

Three officers in my right hon. Friend's Department have been authorised to carry out these duties. Their visits are not made in accordance with a fixed schedule.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs which colliery spoil heaps have been chosen for special treatment, other than the twelve in Yorkshire; to what extent they will be treated; what is the estimated total cost; and if he will now make a statement on the discussions he has had with the National Coal Board on this problem.

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make a statement, but meanwhile I am sending the hon. Member particulars of the schemes suggested as examples of the improvements which might be made.

asked the Minister of Health if he will now state the conclusions reached at his discussions with the Joint Consultants Committee and with their chairman regarding the senior registrar problem.

I saw the Chairman of the Joint Consultants Committee on 1st April, and he put various suggestions to me. I am considering these and will make a statement as soon as possible after the Easter recess.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent the outbreak of disease in monkeys at the Beckenham Laboratories has delayed issue of poliomyelitis vaccine.

This has so far delayed the testing process and the issue of vaccine from one manufacturer by about six weeks.

asked the Minister of Health what are the tests for potency made on the poliomyelitis vaccines.

The potency of each batch is tested on twelve Rhesus monkeys whose serum does not contain any inhibitors to poliomyelitis virus. Each monkey receives a course of vaccine and the level of antibodies to each type which develops is determined.

asked the Minister of Health if, in order to assist old-age pensioners to understand the facilities that are available to them under the hospital and other health services, he will endeavour to see that a notice is delivered to each old-age pensioner setting out in detail the benefits they are entitled to.

The health services available to old-age pensioners are those available to the community as a whole. Information about them is circulated in many ways. A number of local authorities issue booklets giving details of the services available in their areas. I do not think there is any need for me to supplement these measures.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, on 4th December, 1957, Christopher Charles Sawyer, aged seven weeks, of Ingleby Road, Ilford, died a few hours after being vaccinated, the certified causes of death being bronchial pneumonia and atelectasis, a condition of incomplete lung expansion at birth; and whether he will consider issuing a recommendation that vaccination be not performed in such cases where infants are having a struggle to survive.

I have made inquiries and understand that at the time the vaccination was performed, the child appeared to be in normal health. There is no reason to believe that the child's death was due to a complication of vaccination. The Ministry of Health's Memorandum on Vaccination against Smallpox, which is designed to assist medical practitioners, gives full advice on the circumstances in which vaccination should be delayed or avoided.

asked the Minister of Health what information he has about the death of Ann Millicent Joachim, of Belmont Terrace, Mansfield, who was found dead in bed four days after being inoculated against poliomyelitis; and whether he will report in detail on the course followed by the illness of this child.

I understand that the death was reported to the coroner, a post mortem examination was held, and the cause of death was acute primary lobar pneumonia. The inoculation against poliomyelitis took place twelve days, not four days, before death, and there is no reason to regard it as a contributory cause.

asked the Minister of Health which were the school communities referred to in the Chief Medical Officer's Annual Report for 1956 where over the last few years monthly rates were low and the introduction of diphtheria led to an outbreak; and what were the immunisation rates in those schools.

The school communities referred to are residential schools for educationally subnormal boys. At one school, when the outbreak took place in 1954, 38 per cent. of the boys had been immunised during the previous five years. At a second school, 41 per cent. had been immunised at some time prior to the outbreak which occurred in 1955.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to import a small amount of the Russian vaccine for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and have it tested by his Department, or the appropriate department of the Medical Research Council, to see whether limited supplies might then usefully be made available for the treatment of the many patients who are making inquiries for it.

I am still in consultation with the Medical Research Council, and will write to the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Paymaster-General, in view of the increasing need for national control of fuel resources and the important part atomic energy is to play in a future national fuel policy, to what extent the Government have considered public ownership and control of the consortium which is responsible for the building of atomic power stations.

The Government have no intention of bringing under public ownership or control any of the firms or groups of firms now engaged in constructing nuclear power stations.

asked the Paymaster-General to what extent the atomic power station building programme has been affected by improved techniques resulting in a far higher output per station than planned; and which stations will now be built.

It now seems likely that the programme can be fulfilled with fourteen or fewer nuclear stations compared to the original estimate of nineteen. Stations at Bradwell, Berkeley, Hinkley Point and Hunterston are at present under construction and the Central Electricity Generating Board have applied for consent to build a further station at Trawsfynydd in North Wales.

asked the Paymaster-General if he is aware that there is a shortage of anthracite and Phurnacite in the Caernarvon and Bontnewydd district, that many residents, including farmers, have no other means of heating, and the local distributors are in great difficulty in supplying basic needs owing to uncertainty of deliveries to local depots; and what action he will take to remedy the situation.

I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of the pigs in the country is kept in holdings of 50 acres and under.

It is estimated that about one-third of pigs in England and Wales are kept on agricultural holdings of between one and fifty acres, and that rather more than a further 10 per cent. are kept on holdings (including backyards) of one acre or less.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the statement in paragraph 20 of the Annual Review and Determination of Guarantees for 1958 that the production of pigs in this country is expanding and that this trend of output must be reversed, whether any decision has yet been reached as to the method which it is proposed to adopt to curtail the unnecessary importation into this country of bacon from overseas.

Until production costs in this country can be substantially reduced, it is necessary to reverse the expansion which has been taking place because of its heavy cost to the Exchequer and its doubtful value to the balance of payments owing to the substantial use of imported feed which is involved. The scale of imported supplies is determined by market forces operating within tariff and other restrictions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what complaints he has received in the last two years about the alleged introduction of foot-and-mouth disease into the United Kingdom through the import of Argentine beef and mutton; what steps have been taken to investigate these complaints, and with what results; and if he is now satisfied with the present position regarding such imports.

Representations have been received recently from the Royal Agricultural Society of England, the National Farmers' Union and the Fat-stock Marketing Corporation, and from time to time from other sources. All outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in this country are investigated by our veterinary officers. Out of 75 primary outbreaks in 1956 and 1957, 40 were attributed to meat imported from South America. With regard to the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which my right hon. Friend made in the debate on the Adjournment on 5th March.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentages of the prices which farmers have received in the past year for each of the Review commodities have been provided through the price guarantee system operated under the Agriculture Act, 1957.

The following table gives the amount of Exchequer assistance expressed as a percentage of the estimated average market values for each of the commodities guaranteed under the Agriculture Act, 1957, for the periods shown.

Commodity	Period	Percentage of estimated average market value
		Per cent
Fat Cattle	1957–58 Financial Year	24
Fat Sheep	1957–58 Financial Year	21
Fat Pigs	1957–58 Financial Year	29
Shell Eggs (Note 1)	1957–58 Financial Year	47
Milk (Note 2)	1957–58 Financial Year	5
Wheat	Cereal Year to end June, 1958.	42
Rye	Cereal Year to end June, 1958.	10
Barley	Cereal Year to end June, 1958.	40
Oats	Cereal Year to end June, 1958.	27
Wool	1957 Clip	21
Potatoes	—	(see Note 3)
NOTES:
(1) The estimated market value is assumed to be the average price at which eggs are delivered to wholesalers.
(2) The estimated market value is assumed to be the average return to milk producers less the subsidy.
(3) It is not practicable to estimate with any accuracy the average market value of potatoes eligible for guarantee. Exchequer assistance in respect of the 1957 crop would however in any event only represent a very small percentage of this.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many inspectors are employed by his Department to keep a watch on the aqueous radioactive discharges from atomic power stations; and how often visits are made to observe these discharges from the Windscale works.

There are at present three officers of my Department concerned with these inspections and visits to Wind-scale take place at approximately three-monthly intervals.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied about the safety of the discharges of aqueous radioactive waste into the sea, particularly off the coast of Cumberland; to what extent fish and seaweed are being affected; whether the experiments now being conducted for the purpose of determining these questions are designed to continue indefinitely or terminate after a predetermined period; and whether the results will be published.

I am advised that the discharges of aqueous radioactive wastes into the sea has no appreciable effect on fish or seaweed at the levels at present authorised. Tests of the effluents will he continued indefinitely. Results of scientific interest will be published in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the number of overseas civil servants employed in each of the African Colonial Territories and on secondment to the Government of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland on 31st January, 1958, or at the nearest convenient date thereto.

I am obtaining this information from the Governments concerned and, as soon as I receive it, I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies under what conditions lawful authority will be given to Africans to enter part of the railway reserve in Northern Rhodesia; and, in view of the fact that many farmers must cross a railway line in order to reach their land, if he will give an assurance that such persons will not be penalised as a result of the amendment to the Penal Code dated 14th February, 1958.

Lawful authority will be given to Africans to enter the railway reserve in accordance with the proposed amendment to the Penal Code (Penal Code (Amendment) Bill of 14th March, 1958), namely, if they use the public way or an authorised path or are on a portion of the railway reserve upon which members of the public are admitted for the purposes of the Rhodesia Railways.Paths across the railway reserve needed for the passage of persons, animals or vehicles will be listed by District Commissioners as authorised paths and will be signposted accordingly by the Rhodesia Railways; in deciding upon the authorised paths every effort will be made to avoid inconvenience to farmers and others, since it is not the intention unduly to restrict persons who normally cross the railway reserve when going about lawful business.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the principles governing the grant of diplomatic immunity in the United Kingdom, the classes of person eligible to enjoy such immunity, and the extent to which the immunity is granted; and whether he is satisfied that the practice of Her Majesty's Government is reasonable, having regard to considerations of reciprocity.

It is a basic and traditional principle of international law that an accredited diplomatic representative is entitled to the protection of diplomatic immunity in order that he may discharge his mission with the necessary freedom and independence, and that this immunity should be extended also to such a reasonable number of his suite as may be necessary to assist him in his duties. This principle is accepted and applied by Her Majesty's Government in common with most other States.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he has given to the report which he called for on or before 11th March from the Aberdeen County Council relating to Dancing Cairns Quarry; what reply he will make to its conclusions; and whether, in view of the urgency of the matter, he will use his powers under the Public Health (Scotland) Act, 1897, to require the Council to fill in the quarry by bulldozers instead of by the slower method of using it as a tip.

Aberdeen County Council has reported that barbed wire entanglements have now been erected above the quarry. After careful consideration, I should not feel justified in taking action under Section 146 of the Public Health (Scotland) Act, 1897, on the grounds that these local authorities have neglected their duty.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when Lanark County Council proposes to furnish a public supply of water to the houses at Woolfords.

This matter is to be considered by Lanark County Council at its meeting on 30th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that hospitals in Scotland as a whole, and Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in particular, are receiving supplies of drugs adequate for their needs and are maintaining furnishings and equipment in a satisfactory condition; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. I am not aware of any failure on the part of hospital boards of management, including that for the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, to hold in hospitals necessary supplies of drugs and to maintain furnishings and equipment, but I would be glad to look into any case which may be brought to my notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give, for the years 1954 to 1957, inclusive, particulars of recruitment into the nursing profession; and what percentage resigned before completion of training.

The General Nursing Council in Scotland do not maintain an index of student nurses which would give precise information of the numbers entering training and failing to complete training. The number of student nurses and pupil assistant nurses in posts in Scottish nurse-training schools at September in each of the years from 1954 to 1957 was as follows:

1954	7,877
1955	7,634
1956	7,670
1957	7,823

These figures include student nurses at all stages in their training which normally lasts three years.The number of nurses registered and enrolled after examination by the General Nursing Council for Scotland for the years 1954 to 1957 was as follows:

1954	1,886
1955	1,764
1956	1,887
1957	1,863

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent his Department is adopting the suggested system of obtaining a contribution to research and development of a project from the firm awarded the contract and returnable on certain conditions.

During the last three years contracts have been placed for eleven major projects on the basis of a contribution by the firm concerned.

asked the Minister of Supply what investigations have been made by his Department to compare the length of time to develop a military aircraft in the United States of America compared with this country; and with what results.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on this point by my Department, published in the 5th Special Report from the Select Committee on Estimates Session 1956–57, and dated 30th October, 1957, paragraph 25.

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent the rundown of Royal Ordnance factories has caused unemployment; to what extent his Department has helped to find established workers other employment; and whether he anticipates any expansion from the present position in using dormant capacity for the making of newer types of weapons and other suitable production for which he is responsible.

The effect on unemployment has been only marginal. All the established employees have a right to continued employment in the Government service, and every possible effort is being made to transfer them to the establishments of their choice. I hope that the factories will play an ever increasing part in work on the newer types of weapons, but we cannot expect this to make up for the rundown in other requirements.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what translations of Russian scientific journals are regularly provided by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research; and to whom the translations are made available.

At present the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Lending Library Unit receives copies of regular translations of some 24 Russian scientific and technical periodicals. These are available on loan to any organisation in the United Kingdom and a list may be obtained from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research on request.

asked the Minister of Labour how many workers in the building trade, and its associated trades, in Aberdeen remain unemployed to date; and what steps he is taking to find employment for them.

The following workers whose last employment was in the under-mentioned industries were registered as unemployed at Aberdeen on 17th March, 1958.

Stone quarrying and mining—15.

Non-metalliferous mining products—90 (including 10 who were temporarily stopped from work on the day of the count).

Building—647 (including 243 who were temporarily stopped from work on the day of the count).

Electric wiring and contracting—22.

Civil engineering contracting—199 (including 8 who were temporarily stopped from work on the day of the count).

My local officers are doing what they can by submitting unemployed workers to such vacancies as are available.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will specify the other work to which the workers affected by the stoppage of work at the extension of the Station Hotel, Aberdeen, have been allocated; and how many are now engaged on that other work.

I cannot provide this information as the workers concerned have not changed their employer. In any case, information about the labour force of individual employers is confidential.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the numbers and the total percentage of unemployed in the Stornoway Exchange area and in each of the other outer islands; what are the numbers working on short time; to what extent the situation and figures are improving; and what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to provide employment in this area.

On 17th March. 1958. 1,911 people were registered as unemployed at the Stornoway Employment Exchange representing 37–7 per cent. of the estimated number of insured employees. The numbers in the other outer islands were as follows:—

North Uist	99
South Uist	138
Barra	156
Benbecula	52

Complete figures of short-time working are not available for local areas, but the above figures include 200 people in Stornoway and six in the other islands who were temporarily laid off from work on 17th March. Unemployment has been increasing in the islands since the beginning of the year, but reports suggest that in the past two weeks there has been some decrease on the smaller islands as temporary constructional work and holiday jobs have become available. I am in touch with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the President of the Board of Trade about fostering local activities in the area.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, in view of the age of the present submarine fleet, how many full commissions, without major repairs, have been carried out by the submarine fleet in the last four years.

Of the submarines in commission at the moment the age of only one exceeds three-quarters of its useful life; and half of them have been modernised or converted. Some of the 39 commissions of two years, that were completed by H.M. "Submarines" during the last four years, have been interrupted by mishaps or defects, to which all ships are liable, but none was so serious as to entail terminating its commission.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the scales of weekly wages of the skilled and unskilled labourers in Her Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport; and how many have recently received payment for working overtime.

The rate of pay of an unskilled labourer is £7 14s. 4d. a week. The pay of skilled labourers varies with the type of work; rates range between £8 2s. 4d. to £9 Is. 4d. a week. During the week ended 22nd March, 1958, approximately 2,500 labourers and skilled labourers worked overtime for which they received extra pay.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the total number of men and women employed in Her Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport; how many are established; and how many are unestablished.

19,663 at the end of March, 1958, of whom 8,234 were established and 11,429 unestablished.